Raised in an artist-friendly household, Erykah studied acting, painting, and dance as well as music. Her debut album, Baduizm (1997) was an immediate success due in large part to the marketing efforts of her manager and the popularity of the video for one of its singles, “On & On”. She later contributed to the soundtrack for Eve's Bayou (1997). Erykah successfully crossed over into film with her appearance in The Cider House Rules (1999).